AJet (VF, Istanbul Sabiha Gökcen) is in talks with lessors to source additional aircraft in 2025 to sustain its ambitious growth path despite Boeing delivery delays, chief executive Kerem Sarp told Reuters.
"Airbus aircraft [are] mainly in focus. We are looking at leasing and purchasing options," he outlined.
The Turkish low-cost carrier, a recently spun-off subsidiary of Turkish Airlines, planned to take thirty-six B737 MAX jets in 2025. While Karp did not detail the severity of the delays, he admitted that not all of them were likely to enter into service next year. As the carrier plans to expand to a fleet of 200 narrowbodies by 2033, it needs an alternative source of aircraft.
The ch-aviation fleets module shows that AJet currently operates only eight B737-800s under its own Air Operator's Certificate. However, its total fleet includes 109 aircraft, also comprising thirty-six B737-800s, six B737-8s, thirteen A321-200NX, six A320-200Ns, and two A320-200s operated by Turkish Airlines (and due to be transferred to AJet eventually), nine B737-800s wet-leased from SunExpress (a Turkish Airlines/Lufthansa joint venture), twelve B737-8s, nine A321-200s, and two A320-200s wet-leased from various SmartLynx Airlines units, and five A321-200s wet-leased from BBN Airlines Türkiye.
While AJet does not have any direct orders from Boeing itself, Turkish Airlines has an outstanding commitment for 191 A321-200NX, of which some will be delivered to AJet. The airline continues negotiations with Boeing over a long-touted B737 MAX order, while sourcing aircraft of the type in smaller batches from lessors on a regular basis.
AJet did not respond to ch-aviation's request for further comment.
